Hamid Hassan Included In Afghan World T20 Squad

Fast-bowler Hamid Hassan makes a welcome return to Afghanistan’s 15-man squad for the World Twenty20. He has been out of action since January when he was injured playing for an ICC Associate/Affiliate XI against England on their tour of the UAE.

He has since undergone surgery on his knee and, while not being fit enough play for Afghanistan against Australia in their One-Day International in Sharjah today, the Afghanistan Cricket Broad announced that they “have selected Hassan with confidence, [believing] that he will attain full fitness before the tournament starts”.

There are three new faces from Afghanistan’s last international assignment, with left-arm spinner Mohammad Nasim Baras included alongside batsmen Najibullah Zadran and Shafiqullah.

Afghanistan qualified for the main event by reaching the final of the qualifying tournament – they lost to Ireland – and join the 10 Test-playing nations in the 12-team event. They are placed in Group A alongside defending champions England and pre-tournament favourites India. Their first match is on the 19th September against India in Colombo.